Last week I posted before and after pictures of this renovation project on Vanderhorst St. Yesterday I noticed that the construction workers autographed their work on the pavement. They inscribed the wet cement as "100% Mexico".

This might be the perfect container for sugar and flour here in giant palmetto bugland.

Early this month, I featured Geoff, our quirky British blogger/videographer who took off aiming to drive to every town in the US that had a name matching one of the London Underground stations. All was going well until he was robbed of expensive camera and video equipment along the way. Lowcountry bloggers quickly spread the word and set up a paypal donation site to keep the project going. Here is the link to his blog and more information on how to help.

29 June 2009

I won't be the only one to post these shots but I may have been the happiest person in the harbor to have had the chance to be out on the water and take them. Aren't the tall ships glorious?

I got home from work in time to get on this yacht and out into the harbor to watch the tall ships leave Charleston with a glass of wine in one hand and my camera in the other. I can't think of a finer way to end the day. I took a zillion shots of course, ending in a dramatic downpour at the Ashley Marina as we docked.

28 June 2009

The "We Love this Bar" sign on Yank's Pub on Hwy 78 always makes me smile. I've never been inside but for some reason I believe the sign and imagine that it has a group of regulars that love the tiny place. It's one of the little things that make me happy on that stretch of road.

Apparently I'm not the only one! Today I noticed that the Revival Center church just down the road copied the format. It seems they "Love this Church."

I came up behind this merry band as I walked to Piggly Wiggly for pancake blueberries this morning and heard one of them say, "what if we were just a wandering band, playing music where ever we went...?" and I thought, "You are! You do!"

27 June 2009

Between Philip Simmon's Funeral and Harborfest Charleston, things were pretty chaotic on the peninsula this morning.

I didn't have time to make it worth standing in line for a ticket so I snooped around the outskirts to see what I could see and happened to be there while the air show was going on. The little plane was performing incredible stunts in between the tall ships. It was quite a sight.

Late to bed, early to rise. That isn't the way it is supposed to work.

I have an update photo on the progress of the chewing gum encrusted utility poles at East Bay and Market St. The city seems to have given up. One time we had a gentleman steam the gum so it would melt off easily but the sticky tradition quickly started all over again. Makes me smile.

Up and at 'em kids. There is a lot going on today and I have to start by checking the rat trap I put out last night after hearing the pitter patter of little feet. Cringe. Send someone in my hall closet if you don't hear from me in twenty four hours. Yuck.

25 June 2009

When I walked to the City Gallery at Waterfront Park to check on the coffee stirrer sculpture I happened upon the magical world of wee flower petals, insect parts and bone created into images by Ben Timpson. It seems impossible to find what is going on at the Gallery through any of the city web sites but here is the scoop from organicprocess.com

From an upcoming biography on Ben and his art process:"When classically trained painter Ben Timpson turned his artist's eye from large canvases to tiny bits of the natural world, his work entered a mysterious realm of fanciful, dark beauty. Flowers, insects, blood and bone – the eccentric materials Timpson collects find their way into miniature compositions he assembles into slides in painstaking marathons at his light table. These haunting and whimsical photographs, published for the first time in "End of the Roll: Goodnight 35mm," capture a style that trades traditional notions of painting and collage for an evocative visual alchemy. The result is a gallery of alarmingly original images, and the publishing debut of a remarkable young artist."

I was asked to do another presentation for a senior group on Blogging and here is my happy gang.

This group wasn't particularly interested in starting their own blogs so I was able to spend the time showing them their way around the blogosphere and talked about some of the fun stories of connections I have made over the last five years. When you put them all together I have met a lot of interesting characters (yes, YOU) and have some fun tales.

24 June 2009

23 June 2009

I am so darned nice when everything is going my way it's almost pathetic. Sadly today isn't one of those days. Grrrr. I am spitting fire and shooting lightening from my eyes. Y'all stay clear.

Meanwhile, I may be mean as a snake, but here is a sweet picture of the Mystery Tree on Edisto Island to reassure you that my irritation does not extend to my blog family. My blogimy?

I haven't tracked down any explanation for it but it is always decorated and the festivities change according to the season. I took this shot some time ago but it is decorated in a similar beachy fashion right now. Someone takes the trouble to go out in the marsh, take down the old stuff and put up fresh and colorful items. Ya gotta love that. It's almost enough to put me in a good mood.

22 June 2009

I love saying "strike a pose!" to a bunch of kids. They know exactly what I want. Each year I meet the kids from the Asthma Camp Puff 'n Stuff at the College of Charleston to take their group shot. By now I get greeted with, "We remember you! You put us on the internet!"

Photographers and artists in Charleston have been enjoying this glorious house through all its stages of decay for so many years it seems we should have been invited to vote before they were allowed to renovate it.

One of my resolutions this year was not to limit my computer time (too hard) but to try to make it more worthwhile. I aimed to learn things rather than fritter my hours away on sites that simply made me giggle. Soooooo.....last night I stayed up late uploading all the names I had found in the pavement to Facebook and tagging everyone I knew whose name I had found. Yep. Now we are talking serious business. Meanwhile a lot of my friends now have their own claim to a tiny block of lowcountry pavement.

I took today off work to take a breath after handling twenty four teenagers every day last week but it turns out I've been working all morning after all. I am scheduled to give a talk at my national conference in Phoenix in August and they expect me to have an outline for handouts ready this week. Huh? For someone who makes it a rule to scramble at the last minute this just doesn't make sense. Grrrr.

I took my sweaty walk break and stopped at Doe's Pita for my Avacado Pita Pocket and walked past this beautiful spot on State St. I've taken this shot so many times but this time the artist in the window of Smith Killian Art Gallery made it extra special.

Hmmm....adding the link to Doe's Pita Pocket I see that they deliver. It has to be a minimum of six lunches but I could probably eat that many. They are healthy.

As always, when I take an odd day off and walk about town I am amazed at all the people who aren't kept locked up inside a business all day. Who are you all, what do you do and how do you manage it?

I keep my eye out for unlocked gates and Second Presbyterian Church on Meeting St. had the gate to the cemetery behind the church open this morning inviting me to wander. There are a few favorites in this cemetery that I check back on each time I get in and little Eva is one of them. From the back the childish squatting figure looks so sad and lonely as if she has simply given up on anyone coming for her. Front view.

Not too far from Eva is Our Little Jane. The words "our" and "little" on these tombstones tear my heart out at the families loss so many years ago.

18 June 2009

Stayed up too late putting a slide show to music for my summer camper's graduation tomorrow. Each night I came home and added to it to have it ready for tomorrow. I find that by the time I am finished with a slide show I am so sick of the song I can't bear to hear it again.

The kids appear to be having a good time but I am wiped out. Twenty four teenagers can drive me to my couch in the evening. Today was Physical Therapy, Imaging/Radiology, EMS and Surgical Careers. They let them intubate the mannequin, ride in the ambulance and use the bovie cauterizing machine in the OR.

When I was sixteen and traveled overland from Katmandu to London, riding into Iran from the east felt like driving into civilization. We were wide eyed to see groomed parks and families having picnics with ornate silver tea pots. Dusty and worn after riding local transportation through Afghanistan we landed in a bus station shortly after crossing the border. We perched on our ratty suitcases and bags while my father asked the bus station manager for advice on a reasonable hotel.

The station manager was ready to close for the day and escorted my dad to a hotel close by. Then, deciding that they asked too much for what they offered he claimed he would take us all home with him for the night. Taking "us all" included six scrappy hungry kids and my parents. At this stage of our adventures I was the eldest of the pack.

We went to his house inside a small compound and met his wife and shy daughter peaking from her skirts. His English was limited and he called his wife "my friend". He had to return to close business for the day and left saying, "my friend will make you tea."

At bedtime we stretched out on the floor in a room with oriental carpets and bolster pillows and we were tired enough that we slept like babies. In Iran. With kind new friends.

Thinking today of all the brave young people fighting for freedom of speech. Visit Tehran Live for daily photos of the recent election protests.

15 June 2009

I'd never do it myself, but I love the fact that other people skateboard. Doesn't she look great sailing up the street? I used to joke about building Skate Town if I won the lottery. It would have hotels and shops that you could skate right through. Whooosh!

I can check my googled search words and see that folks have been looking for pictures from Sunday evening's fundraising dinner at McCrady's so here we are.

I'm clearly playing with the big kids now! Check out this line up of top executive chefs all at one event. Left to right: Sean Brock from McCrady's did the dessert, Chef Craig Diehl, Cypress did the local beef dish, Chef Jeremiah Bacon from Carolina’s did the appetizer and Chef Anthony Gray of High Cotton served the local fish course.

What a treat. The whole event started after I suggested it as a fundraiser for our new Cancer Center and Andre' Guillet and his staff at McCrady's turned it into a wonderful event for about ninety people. They even let our Cancer Center nursing staff do a crash course to serve as waitstaff!

This is how I am spending my week - with twenty four, 13, 14 and 15 year olds who claim an interest in health care. It is pure selfishness. I want to make sure there is someone to take care of me when I am old. Nice mix. The first boy to arrive is always concerned he might be the only one. There is one set of triplets in the bunch and a good number of them were actually born at our hospital. That is full circle.

14 June 2009

I don't know how you feel about it, but you were male in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Ireland around the year 1400. Your profession was that of a banker, usurer, moneylender or judge.

Your brief psychological profile in your past life:Bohemian personality, mysterious, highly gifted, capable to understand ancient books. With a magician's abilities, you could have been a servant of dark forces.

It is another wicked hot day but I am heading out to survey my territories. It is also "recycle used plastic bags" day and they are all crammed into my backpack so tightly it looks like I am on a cross country trek. People will be amazed the light spring in my step considering my heavy load.

13 June 2009

Sesame Burgers & Beer on Spruill Ave. is one of my favorite treats. The funny thing is that I have never eaten one of their burgers and probably never will. Once I find a favorite item on the menu I tend to stick with it. I am strictly a Blue's Corn, Ultimate Grilled Cheese and Corona girl. Then I reach in and steal two extra mints on the way out.

11 June 2009

Finally! I've been appreciated for something that comes naturally! Read Charlie for the article and leave a comment saying you know the wacky white haired lady. ;) It will probably be the only time you will ever see my hair out loose.

Years ago a young girl came to my office and asked to talk to me. She said she had spotted a few gray hairs. She intended to color her hair but her husband told her that if she thought she would go gray like Joan Perry he would like her to leave it. Wow. Another lady came up to me slightly tipsy at a party and hugged me and thanked me for "not coloring your hair."

Little do they know, I could have posed for this article twenty years ago. My daughter already has a white strand just the way I started. I tell people I have a good story for each white hair. And I do. There was a time when I was called "prematurely gray" but people stopped saying "premature."

Thanks to Caroline Nuttal from CHARLIE and photographer Matthew Morse for making me look good. It was a lot of fun.

09 June 2009

Sooooooo..........yesterday afternoon I was told I needed to plan to be on tv this morning. Gulp. I've been doing more in front of a camera than behind lately.

Ryan Nelson and Dave Williams invited us on Lowcountry Live to promote "Planting the Seeds of Hope", a benefit hosted by McCrady's Restaurant on June 14th, to raise funds for the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center.

Wynde Limehouse and I shared our five minutes of fame and our hosts made it easy. I had no idea what I said but I did record it and discovered that I talk really, really fast when I am nervous! When we were done I told Ryan that I had to take a photo because her Dad was my Facebook Friend.

Don't you love how I always tell you about these events after they have already happened? I'm no dummy.

It got me thinking, and you know how dangerous that is. What do you think of Sock Monkeys as a fundraising project for the American Heart Walk?

I like "Don't Monkey Around With Heart Disease" as a theme. I picture monkeys being made dressed and sold as a fun tropical silent auction evening. I made a quick sample up following Kitty's advice and a friend made a pattern for a scrub suit to start us off. We actually took a real scrub suit off a doctor's back (thanks Dr. Geer!) but started by learning the pattern in white before we cut it up. Heheh.

What do you all think? Would it work? Are there enough creative people around to come up with theme dressed monkeys? We could raise more money by packaging them. If a spa monkey was dressed in a robe and had hair wrapped in a turban she could come with a spa certificate etc. A Chef Monkey could come with a restaurant dinner certificate.

Thinking out loud here. Throw out any suggestions. Ya gotta admit it is different! I'll monkey around with more links later. I gotta run.

08 June 2009

Chef Sean Brock agreed to work with the hospital I work for on a fund raising dinner for our Cancer Center. Then he went overboard and recruited three friends, each a top chef in town to do a course. I know it is expensive but it will be an incredible evening, it is a donation to an important cause and heck, I'll be there to take your picture.

Here is the info: When you plant a seed you foster and care for it. Willing it to grow to its greatest potential. The Roper St. Francis Cancer Center is planting the seeds of hope in its patients. Hope for a cure, hope for endurable treatments, hope for more tomorrows.

Top local chefs have also been planting seeds across the Lowcountry. Seeds for fresh local foods that will nourish and satisfy. These chefs are teaming up to offer a truly unique evening of fresh, locally grown cuisine in an effort to support the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center.